European Forum

Russia signs deal with Armenia on extension of military base presence

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his Armenian counterpart, Serzh Sarkisian, have signed a deal today (20 August) extending Moscow's lease of a military base in the South Caucasus country until 2044. The new deal commits Russia to update Armenia's military hardware and ensure both countries' security, together with Armenian armed forces. At a news conference after the signing in Yerevan, Sarkisian praised the deal, which he said would expand the sphere of Russia's "geographic and strategic" responsibilities. "The Russian side has made a commitment to ensure the military security of Armenia and to cooperate in equipping our armed forces with advanced weaponry," Sarkisian said.

The new deal, updating a 1995 treaty, appears to cement Russia's already-strong presence in Armenia. Yerevan has been Moscow's only reliable ally in the South Caucasus. Representatives of the ruling party have been quick to tie the deal to their long-standing dispute with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, the Armenian-majority enclave at the center of a six-year war between the two countries that ended with an uneasy cease-fire in 1994. Azerbaijan, which has used its massive energy wealth to build up its military strength, has frequently suggested it is preparing to resolve the outstanding dispute by force. Armenian officials say the new Russian deal -- with its guarantee of Armenian security -- would prevent such an outcome. It is unclear, however, that the pledge from Moscow would extend to Nagorno-Karabakh, which is located within Azerbaijan's borders.

Russia to expand role in region
Medvedev said Russia sought to play the role of peacemaker in the region, and that Moscow would stress negotiations as the best channel for resolving Nagorno-Karabakh. "The task of the Russian Federation as the largest state in the region, the most powerful state economically and militarily and in terms of its capacity to ensure security, is to maintain peace and order," Medvedev said. Elkhan Polukhov, a spokesman for Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry, called on Moscow to honor previous agreements on not using arms at the Gyumri base against Azerbaijan. The Gyumri base is equipped with arms and other resources transferred from two shuttered Russian bases in Georgia. Polukhov said that according to the terms of the transfer, Moscow had pledged it would not use the relocated arms and equipment against Azerbaijan.

Russia has sought to downplay the significance of the new defense pact. Speaking earlier this week on Armenian television, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said no change should be expected in the functions of the Gyumri base. It is not clear what military upgrades Moscow will provide for Armenia. The Gyumri base currently houses MiG-29 fighter jets and S-300 missile systems, as well as some 5,000 troops. Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, speaking on August 20 in Yerevan, said his country had no immediate plans to lease additional S-300 systems to Armenia.

Opposition politicians in Armenia have warned that Russia's rumoured arms sales to Azerbaijan will disturb the region's delicate balance of military power and leave Armenia at a distinct disadvantage if the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict escalates into a new war. Other observers have suggested the move is meant to solidify Russia's military foothold in the region as a warning to larger neighbours like Iran and Turkey. Gyumri, Armenia's second-largest city, is just 20 kilometres from the Turkish border. Later today, Medvedev and Sarkisian are set to attend an informal meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which groups Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.


Sources: RFE/RL; Armen Liberty